The L.A. Lakers and the L.A. Clippers essentially both start the season in front of their home crowd as the rebuilding Lakers host the revamped Clippers at the Staples Center. This series has become a hot ticket in Los Angeles, but it is still too early to call this match up a rivalry. Previously hard-fought NBA playoff battles for the Clippers have included the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors then the Lakers — in that order — and the first two teams feel more like rivals than the last.
The Clippers have the pieces in place to have their best season in franchise history… after all, the entire team has something to prove.
Doc Rivers gives the Clippers championship aspirations and a head coach who has been there. Point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin are All-Stars. But Paul and the Clippers need Griffin to become a consistent number-two scoring threat in addition to improving his footwork and offense in the post.
The same could be said for center DeAndre Jordan. He is a talented player with tremendous potential, but consistency is a must.
The Clippers have added capable veteran shooters J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley.
Rivers got the team’s attention upon being named head coach. During training camp and the pre-season he gained their trust. This season is about holding the players accountable.
The head coach has not only revamped the roster, but he also making the Clippers more efficient on offense. In 2012 they won a lot of games with their high-flying, fast-break ‘Lob City’ offense. You will see a glimpse of that action from time to time but, for the most part, that will change in 2013. Far too many times it took the Clippers too long to get into their offense and, when they did, they were fighting the shot clock and the opponent. For instance, In the half court we saw the team set a ball screen for Chris Paul while the team stood around and watched his individual brilliance.
This pre-season, the Clippers displayed Princeton offense action, pinch post triangle offense action, high pick and rolls and double screens opening up shooters for wide open three-point shots. The take-away is that this team probably will not win as many games as in 2012, but will go further in the playoffs and have a more efficient offense. They’ll score more points, use better fundamentals and have themselves in a better position offensively and defensively.
The Lakers start the season in the midst of a rebuilding process. The hope is that the purple and gold have the right pieces in place to make a run although the expectations for them are very low. Several odds-makers have the Lakers winning anywhere from 33 to 41 games and not making the playoffs. Their odds of winning a championship in the 2013-14 seaon are 75 to 1.
Needless to say, it is paramount that point guard Steve Nash, power forward Pau Gasol and shooting guard Kobe Bryant all return from their injuries – eventually.
As the season begins, the Lakers will be without Bryant for the first time since 2006. His return from Achilles surgery is projected to be as soon as October but could also be as late as mid-January. The team is losing far more than a scoring threat without the services of Kobe.
Nash is not 100%, but he will start and play 25-29 minutes of the game.
The Lakers need to get the ball inside to Gasol and allow him to go to work. He will return to being a consistent producer of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game and will likely set the table for everyone else.
A poised Jordan Farmar (point guard) will step in for Nash when necessary and have a breakout season in his return home. Farmar has improved his shot selection, raised his shooting percentage from behind the arc to the 40% range and is solid facilitator. He can stay in front of quick point guards defensively. For optimum success, the Lakers need a group effort with everyone in a purple and gold jersey contributing.
The Lakers need solid ball movement and excellent player movement while executing the offense to find a high percentage shot. Their biggest question heading into 2013-14 defensively would be: is there a plan? Last season you could never really tell. It appeared that the Lakers had no consistent strategy from play to play or from game to game.
This changed during this pre-season however. The Lakers displayed a clear plan of attack. The purple and gold trapped the pick and roll, funneled penetration to the baseline, pressured the ball handlers and jumped passing lanes when opponents attempted cross court passes. Tonight they need to control the tempo on offense and make it a half court game, limit their turnovers and communicate on defense. The team needs to play with energy and passion. Finally, they need to step up their game in all phases of the defense: transition, half-court and pick-and-roll; quickly rotating out to open shooters.
Starters:
- Lakers –S. Nash, S.Blake, N. Young, S. Williams, P.Gasol
- Clippers – C. Paul, J. Redick, J. Dudley, B. Griffin, D. Jordan
Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST
Television:
- Los Angeles – TNT
- Los Angeles – TNT
Radio:
- Los Angeles – 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Los Angeles – KFWB News Talk 980 (Ralph Lawler & Michael Smith)
Injuries:
Lakers –
- Kobe Bryant (Torn Achilles) Out
- Kris Kaman (Gastroenteritis) Out
Clippers –
- Darren Collison (Bruised Kneecap) Day-to-Day
- Reggie Bullock (Knee) Day-to-Day
- Matt Barnes (Calf) Day-to-Day